Disgraced preacher Ted Haggard in new gay sex revelations

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A leading US evangelical pastor who was forced to resign in 2006 after revelations of a three-year gay relationship with a prostitute has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a young church member.

The founder of Colorado’s New Life Church, Ted Haggard had to resign the leadership of the church and the presidency of the National Association of Evangelicals after it emerged that he had been involved in a sexual relationship with Mike Jones and had bought and taken methamphetamines with male prostitutes.

Mr Jones, 50, claims that Mr Haggard, a vocal opponent of gay marriage, was a monthly client for three years.

He said the married pastor told him his fantasy was “to have sex with about 6 young college guys ranging from 18 to 22 in age.”

The current leader of New Life Church, Brady Boyd, said that a young man came forward after the revelations about Mr Haggard broke in 2006.
He described the relationship as “inappropriate” but “consensual” that went on for some time but the man was over the age of consent.

Mr Haggard declined to answer questions and referred them to broadcaster HBO.

He is currently promoting a documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard, that will be aired on the TV channel later this month.

Mr Haggard recently claimed he was sexually abused as a child.

“Some of the things that were buried in the depths of the sea from when I was in the second grade started to rage in my heart and mind,” he said in an audio tape released online in November.

In the tape he admited he had “sinned” but said some of the allegations against him had been exaggerated.

In the documentary Mr Haggard is candid about his sexuality.

“I did some same-sex play when I was in the second grade, then all that blew up when I was 50,” he said.

“I had to analyse myself — a heterosexual, a homosexual, gay, straight, bisexual? What are you Ted Haggard? I wrestled with it, fought with it, argued with it.

“I am who I am. I am an evangelical, and continue from time to time to struggle with same-sex attraction.”

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